South of the large star-forming region known
as the Orion Nebula, lies bright blue reflection nebula NGC
1999. At the edge of the Orion molecular cloud complex some
1,500 light-years distant, NGC 1999's illumination is provided
by the embedded variable star V380 Orionis. That nebula is
marked with a dark T-shape near center that spans about 10
light-years. The dark shape was once assumed to be an obscuring
dust cloud seen in silhouette against the bright reflection
nebula, but recent infrared images indicate the shape is likely
a hole blown through the nebula itself by energetic young stars.
